Canadensis man charged with selling heroin

Editor's Note: Why wasn't this guy locked up when he was charged for his prior arrests?

CANADENSIS — Chester Botch, 49, was charged this week with selling heroin out of his Beartown Road home in Barrett Township after an Oct. 24 incident there.

Botch was placed in Monroe County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 bail and is awaiting a district court hearing.

On Oct. 24, Botch was home when he discovered an acquaintance hanging dead in his garage and contacted a friend, who in turn contacted police.

Police arrived at the residence and found the dead man, along with evidence of him using heroin before his death. Botch and three other people were at the residence.

Getting a search warrant after learning the house has a drug history, police found heroin, unmarked prescription pills, crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Also found were a 9 mm Smith & Wesson magazine, loaded with 9 mm rounds, along with .223-caliber ammunition and shotgun shells, but no guns.

Botch previously had pleaded guilty in a felony bad-checks case and was on probation in a prior heroin-dealing case, police learned. His record includes also prior arrests in cases involving drugs, receiving stolen property, being a fugitive, domestic-related terroristic threats, burglary and theft, which bans him from having any guns.

The three other people with Botch had not been charged in this case as of Thursday.

Are you ready?

Prepare for a disaster in 3 easy steps:In an emergency, knowing what to do is your best defense. Start now by learning the risks, making an emergency plan and getting involved to help others.[Read More at ReadyPA.org]